Author: Kelly Sienkowski

I'm the Fredericksburg Regional Editor, covering Stafford and Fredericksburg. If you have tips, story ideas, or news, send me an email!

Features

From Sawdust to Scare Tactics: Stafford High Students Build Thrills at Fredericksburg’s Haunted Attraction

By Kelly Sienkowski

From chisels to chills, Stafford High School’s (SHS) carpentry students have found a new way to haunt locals with their talent.

The Fredericksburg Fairgrounds’ upcoming Dead Whispers Haunted Attraction will feature a haunted maze, which is entirely the work of these budding carpenters. Led by carpentry teacher Dan Harding, the students have spent weeks constructing the maze, which adds a new element of scare and excitement to the Halloween event. 

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News

Weekend Events: Stafford County Fair and FredNats FallFest

By Kelly Sienkowski

The annual Stafford County Agricultural and Homemaking Fair is this weekend, October 17 through 20.  The fair is located at University of Mary Washington’s Stafford Campus, 121 University Boulevard.  The fair is open Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. In addition to vendors, rides, and carnival treats, Saturday and Sunday will feature Children’s Power Wheel Derbies and  Pedal Tractor Pulls.

Next week, the Fredericksburg Nationals will host FredNats Fall Fest on Oct. 25. The family event is free to attend, but parking is $6 per vehicle. In addition to a pumpkin carving contest, the stadium will feature arts and crafts, fall-themed foods, goats, and trick or treating on the concourse. Pumpkins must be labeled with contact information, carved and dropped off during the week for the competition. Costumes are encouraged. FredNats Fall Fest is open from 6 to 9 p.m.

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Final Candidate Question: Kaine, Cao, Anderson, and Vindman Share Views on Reproductive Healthcare Laws

By Kelly Sienkowski

Our survey series ends with our eighth and final question to our candidates. Senator Tim Kaine and Hung Cao are running to represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Derrick Anderson and Eugene Vindman are running for the District 7 seat in the House of Representatives.

Early voting began Sept. 20. and ends November 2. Election Day is Nov. 5.

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News

What’s On the Agenda? Stafford’s Board of Supervisors Meets October 15

By Kelly Sienkowski
Stafford Board of Supervisors (June, 2024)

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 15, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online. To provide the public with more information about the board meetings, we’ve assembled a list of some of the items on the agenda.

On the agenda:

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News

Annual Band Together to Fight Hunger Returns Nov. 4, Featuring 397 Students and Five Marching Bands

By Kelly Sienkowski
Band Together's 2016 Joint Performance (Photo | Stafford Schools)

Stafford County Public Schools will host its 14th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger Program on November 4, 2024. The event will be held at Mountain View High School at 7 p.m.

In 2005, Mountain View High School welcomed its first Band Director, Doug Armstrong, a Virginia Tech graduate who helped establish Hokies for the Hungry, a fundraiser supporting the local food bank in Blacksburg, VA. Inspired by this, Armstrong created Band Together to Fight Hunger in Stafford County to help the community. The annual event gathers five high school marching bands—Mountain View, Colonial Forge, Stafford, Brooke Point, and North Stafford—to perform their shows.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg’s Book Festival Offers Insights for Independent Writers, Eyes Expansion

By Kelly Sienkowski

The annual Independent Book Festival returns to Fredericksburg on October 12, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park. Founded in 2015 by local authors James Noll and Chris Jones, the festival offers writers a platform to promote their work, attend panels, and network with other authors.

Noll, who began his independent publishing journey in 2013, visited over 24 events in a single year—including comic cons, horror cons, and book festivals—in an effort to learn about the industry. “The travel was exhausting, but I realized nobody was hosting a book event in Fredericksburg,” said Noll. “So, I decided to make it happen.” He partnered with local writers Amy Bayne and Chris Jones to launch the festival. Though Bayne left the team in 2018, Noll and Jones continue to run the event.

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Everyone’s Focused on the Economy – Week 7 Asks the Candidates Their Plans

By Kelly Sienkowski

We continue our survey series with our seventh question to our candidates. The series will end next week with our eighth and final question.

To help voters in Virginia’s 7th District and statewide make an informed decision, we have offered a feature series offering insights into each candidate’s stand on critical issues affecting our area. Candidates are emailed a question and asked to reply by a deadline. This format lets voters quickly compare the candidates’ views on critical issues, helping them make an informed choice come election day.

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Fredericksburg

The Picklr to Open on Plank Road

By Kelly Sienkowski

Updated Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 — Pickleball fans, grab your paddles: Fredericksburg’s new indoor pickleball facility will open on October 19. The Picklr location at 3700 Plank Road will be open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Owner Jay Sartori said he and his partner Kim have been avid pickleball players for years. They “wanted to create a curated, ‘eatertainment-style’ pickleball club.” Guests will not only be able to play, but also socialize and enjoy great food. Sartori described pickleball as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., outpacing tennis and golf combined.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg’s Leadership Program Recognizes Five Alumni for Exceptional Leadership and Mentorship

By Kelly Sienkowski

This past Friday, October 4, the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber’s Leadership Fredericksburg program held its Annual Leadership Impact Awards celebration at the A & B Creative Events Center. The event brought together local business leaders, alumni, and community supporters to honor the contributions of Leadership Fredericksburg alumni who make positive impacts on the community.

Susan Spears, Executive Director of Leadership Fredericksburg, said: “The Leadership Fredericksburg program continues to cultivate leaders who not only excel in their professional lives but also make lasting, positive impacts on our community. We are thrilled to recognize these five outstanding individuals who have embodied the spirit of community leadership and commitment.”

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